This Is How Often You Should Trim Your Ends Based On Your Texture

Dealing with split ends is the most difficult part of any hair-care routine. It doesn't matter if your tresses are straight as an arrow or curlier than a Slinky. If you want healthy hair, regular trims are essential. But what exactly does “regular” mean? You've probably heard different numbers thrown around. But we turned to the experts to get clear answers for every hair type.

First, it’s important to know that no one is exempt from experiencing split ends. Even if you religiously follow all of the hair-care rules to a tee, your ends will eventually break. "Usually wear and tear causes ends to split," Steve Pullan, trichologist at the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic in NYC, tells SELF. "Exposure to elements can also have an effect." Combine all of that with your daily habits, and the oldest parts of the hair's shaft will start to split. "Hair grows on average a half an inch per month on all types of hair," Pullan says. "If you have hair that is six inches long, the ends are a year old. And if you have shoulder length hair, that means it’s two years old. And that alone ages hair and dries it out," Pullan says. So, here's how to know when it's time to clip your ends.

If you have fine hair...

If your hair falls on the fine side, a strict routine for trimming ends is crucial. Split ends can make tresses look thin and frail. "When they split they continue to unravel up the hair shaft, and it will split much more rapidly if you don’t cut those ends off," celebrity hairstylist and the star of L.A. HairKim Kimble tells SELF. And it's extremely noticeable amongst finer textures.

Head to your hairdresser every five weeks. That way you'll continue to see growth while keeping ends looking full and healthy. In the meantime, one way to protect your ends from constant wear and tear is to keep hair off of your neck, especially during colder months when you're wearing turtlenecks and scarves. "I recommend ponytails that aren’t too tight," celebrity hairstylist and Carol's Daughter Style Squad member Kahh Spence tells SELF. "I like holders that are made of soft fabrics around the elastic, so they don’t pull on the hair."

If you have wavy hair...

Does your hair have a few bends, but not enough to wake up with bouncy curls? You can go up to six weeks without a trim, if you minimize heat damage. You might be tempted to sculpt your waves with a flatiron every day, but constant heat will dry out ends. "One thing that I really believe in is sleeping with silk rollers," says Kimble. "It helps minimize the friction that dry materials can cause." That way you're protecting ends while you get your beauty rest, and you're cutting back on the heat.

If you have curly hair...

If your ringlets seem to tangle quicker than your iPhone headphones, that could very well be a sign that it's time to pull out the scissors. "When ends split they tend to knot into each other," says Kimble. Applying a great detangler before you style your hair can help you work through knots. But constantly combing through split ends can cause even more damage. Uncontrollable frizz is another way your hair will let you know it's time for a trim. Some curly girls can wait up to eight weeks between trims. Just listen to your hair. It will tell you when it's time.

If you have coily hair...

"With curly and coily hair, oils have to travel further to get to the ends," says Spence. And dry ends equal split ends. That's why retaining moisture is not optional. Co-washing will help to keep your hair moisturized. Add protective styles (think braids and buns) to your routine and practice low manipulation (keeping combing, brushing, and styling to a minimum). And you'll be able to stretch trims up to 8 to 12 weeks. "Think of your hair as fiber or as a cashmere sweater,” says Pullan. You wouldn't drag your hands over a delicate cardigan 100 times, so make sure you're being just as gentle with your hair when you comb and style it..

If you have color-treated hair...

"Chemically treated hair tends to be more susceptible to breakage than natural hair," says Pullan. "And then you get a double whammy when you combine highlights with straightening procedures." The rule of thumb for processed hair is to get a trim with every treatment. If you're getting your roots touched up every four weeks, make sure you don't skip your trim. Even if you can't see any physical damage on your ends, it's important to trim sooner than later. "You want to cut it before it splits. Once it splits, it rides up the hair shaft," says Pullan. "And you end up with two fine wispy pieces that eventually break off." Combine your regular trims with a bi-weekly hair mask, and you'll be on the road to shiny, healthy hair.